Brussels, 20/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - EU member states failed to reach agreement on 19 April on whether or not to authorise the sale of new genetically modified products (GMOs).
Meeting at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, the EU national experts failed to reach the necessary qualified majority required to approve or reject the European Commission's proposal to authorise the marketing of products made from genetically modified sugar beet, H7-1. This means that the European Commission has to refer the issue to the Council to be decided upon. If the Council does not reach agreement within three months, the Commission will be able to decide as it sees fit. The proposal to authorise the beet is based on a favourable opinion by the European Food Safety Authority which found no risk to humans, animals or the environment.
On the authorisation of two maize hybrids for human and animal use, the 1507sNK 603 and the BJ603X MON810, the member states held a detailed discussion but did not reach agreement. Discussions will resume at the next Standing Committee meeting on 10-11 May 2007. (an)